5th August 2008, 05:50 PM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by the invisible man
Just to clarify that in my previous post in no way did I intend to suggest that an NVQ is or can attempt to compete with or replace a Masters degree (or a first degree come to that). My point, in response to Gilraen's query, was that the NVQ is specific to excavation and its directly associated and component activities. It is entirely inappropriate for specialists or practioners in other fields, e.g. in ceramics, osteo, geophysics or whatever, who are quite likely to have entered their field through a specialized Masters.
I would also add that I do not agree with the view put forward in another thread that in other professions those with a degree enter at management level. In some fields of 'business' or 'commerce' perhaps, but in the professions a degree (or higher) is the starting point, at the bottom, where you take your knowledge and begin to learn to apply it.
I agree with the latter point. On the first point, the NVQ has (I believe) not yet been launched for the higher levels of experience/training. If you look at the report on the National occupational standards ( here : http://www.archaeologists.net/modules/ic...report.pdf ) and scroll down to the appendices, however, you will see many skills there which are very applicable to all specialisms. The following aren't excavation specific:
e.g. AC2 Conduct non-intrusive investigations
AC.1 Prepare for operations
AC2.2 Observe and record measurements
AC2.3 Analyse and present investigation data
AC3 Contribute to non-intrusive investigations
AC3.1 Prepare for operations
AC3.2 Observe and record measurements
AC3.3 Prepare records and schedules
AD1 Undertake analysis and interpretation
AD1.1 Confirm requirements for analysis and interpretation
AD1.2 Carry out agreed programme of analysis and interpretation
AD1.3 Prepare and submit reports
AE3 Identify and describe items (archaeology) (based on CH Unit A4)
AE3.1 Provide a description of an item
AE3.2 Identify and classify an item
AE3.3 Describe the potential significance of an item as an archaeological resource
AE4 Develop conservation plans for items (archaeology) (CH Unit E5)
AE4.1 Explore conservation options for items
AE4.2 Specify conservation options for items
And that's just on the first page......
there are also a lot to do with curatorial roles and educational roles.
So, yes these follow on from the basis of your degree/Masters/PhD/equivalent experience. It's a way to develop yourself in your profession. I agree completely with your point about 'management' in the professions. (and certainly I'd always seen a 1st degree as learning how to learn, but I'm old....)
Interestingly, the document linked above says in its introduction:
'The reasons for a lack of widely shared definitions of work roles and responsibilities may lie in the origins of archaeology as a discipline rather than a profession. 'Archaeology' defines a search for knowledge, meaning and understanding rather than the provision of a service or a commodity. This is quite unlike most traditional professions, most of which have been required to define the services they offer in order that they can be regulated for reasons of public protection , safety or financial entitlement.'
Which is another take on it.... :face-thinks: